Thunderbird 5 detects an emergency beacon in the Sahara Desert, just as a massive laser satellite activates; realising that the Mechanic’s ‘Project Sentinel’ has finally come online, John despatches Scott in Thunderbird 1 to investigate. Exploring a huge hole the laser has drilled into the earth, Scott searches a network of metal corridors for the life-sign he has detected – and discovers that the person he is rescuing is the Hood! Obligated by duty to protect people from harm no matter who they are, Scott reluctantly agrees to help the villain, and transports him onto Thunderbird 1 locked inside a rescue capsule. As Scott prepares to take his new cargo to the GDF’s Ultimax prison he receives a transmission from the Mechanic, who demands that he hand over the Hood; when Scott refuses, the Mechanic trains his laser on Thunderbird 1 and attempts to kill his enemy. Evading the deadly laser beams striking down from the sky, Scott jettisons the Hood’s canister for Kayo to catch in Thunderbird Shadow; a desperate game of pass-the-parcel begins, as the Hood is transferred from Thunderbird to Thunderbird to FAB 1, each vehicle dodging the Sentinel satellite’s lasers. Meanwhile, Brains and Max take the space elevator up to Thunderbird 5; dropping the nano-cable en route they pilot the capsule towards the Sentinel. Using silent-running to sneak past the satellite’s defences, Brains and Max manage to get aboard undetected; together they head for the control room to deactivate the laser – only to come face-to-face with the Mechanic and his lethal mechas…